Trough supporting means



A s! 30, 194. c. P. @om

TROUGH SUPPORTING MEANS Original Filed Feb. 29, 1940 J/VVENTU f/mnes F ATTflRAfEY' Patented Apr. 30, 1946 2,399,197 THOUGH SUPPORTING MEANS Charles P. Boyd, l ennett Square, Pa.

Original application February 29, 1940, Serial No.

321,535. Divided and this application November 30, 1942, Serial No. 467,349

20 Claims (c 248-482) My invention relates to trough sup-porting means and it relates more particularly to means forsupporting troughs, such as eaves troughs which are subject to intermittent light and heavy loads and extreme variations in stresses and strains due to vagaries of the weather.

In the construction and assembly of eaves troughs, because of the cantilever construction of the trough and support assembly, it is essential that the lightest materials be used. Yet the trough must be so mounted despite its lightweight and cantilever construction as to enable it to carry relatively heavy loads, as for instance,

when it is filled with rain-soaked leaves and other debris, or when it is filled with ice. This problem becomes particularly acute in view of thevarying stresses and strains to which the trough and its supporting means'are subjected due to their exposure to strong winds and the eddy currents induced thereby, the expansion of ice within the trough acting against the tendency of the trough and its supports to contract due to cold,

and the expansion and contraction due to vagaries of weather temperature. I

Moreover, drainage of Various elements together with the presence of air and water results in the corrosion of the trough and its support ing structure, thereby tending in time to weaken the trough and its supporting structure, and in-' creasing the importance that destructive stresses and strains therein be reduced to a minimum.

In the past, various attempts have been made to solve these problems inherent in the-troughsupport assembly. Thus, sheet metal supports have been used, but have been generally undesirable due to their lack of strength and stability. Cast metal supports have been used but have been found too rigid and apt to crack under varying strains and stresses with respect to the trough-moreover, they have been too expensive. More recently, attempts have been made to use supports made of channel metal which is not as apt to crack under strain as the cast metal, and the cost of the raw material of which is less expensive. However, the channel metal supports of the prior art relied for their supporting sections upon unduly distorted or fatigued portions of the metal, thereby materially weakening the support. Moreover, the type of distortion hitherto in use is of an expensive nature, and tends materially to increase the price of the support until there is not much, if any, difference incost between the channel metal support and the expensive cast metal support. I

It is an object of my invention, therefore, to

provide a supporting means for a trough, which shall be of maximum strength and durability, and wherein the eifect of stresses and strains imposed by the weather and the varying demands upon the'strength of the trough and its supports, in use, shall be minimized.

It is anotherobject of my invention to provide means for securing the trough to the supporting structure whereby the varying strains, normally imposed in use, of one with respect to the other, will be absorbed while inhibiting fatigue or undue stress of the securing means, operably to ensure a longer life to the whole structure.

A further object of my invention is to provide a troughsupporting means which shall be inexpensive to make and very easy and quick to assemble and disassemble, as well as efficient in operation.

With the above and other objects in view, my invention consists of a trough supporting means comprising a channeled metal beam or similar structure comprising spaced parallel flanges having a web disposed therebetween; means for securing said beam to a structure; a trough supporting arm comprising a channeled metal bar having parallel flanges and a web disposed therebetween; said bar having a shank formed at one end, a recess formed at the other end, and a bed disposed therebetween; said shank end comprising a limiting stop adapted to abut against one edge of a trough; meansfor interlocking at least one flange of said beam with at least one flange of said bar operative to prevent displacement of said bar in adownward-direction about the shank end as a'pivot; andmeans for retaining said flanges in interlocked condition.

'For the purpose of illustrating my invention, I have shown in. the accompanying drawing forms thereof which are at present preferred by me, since thes'ame have been found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which my invention consists can be variously arranged and organized and that my invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and organizations of the instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

Referring to the drawing, in which like reference characters indicate like parts:

Figure 1 represents a side elevational view of a trough and trough supporting means embodying my invention. V

Figure 2 represents an opposed side elevational View of a trough supporting means embodying my invention, 7

Figure 3 represents a rear elevational view of a circle embodying my invention.

According to my invention, I provide a beam or shank 20, preferably formed of channeled metal comprising spaced parallel flanges 2| and 22 projecting from one face of a web 23, and defining a channel 24. The beam is secured, in a preferably substantially vertical position, to a buildling adjacent 'or'just below the roof thereof, by any suitable means-such as the screws 25, with the beam or shank 20 with the flanges 31 and 2-8 web 23 disposed substantially perpendicular to the side wall of the building.

A trough securing arm or circ1ef;26 is provided, and preferably formed of channel metal of substantially the same cross-sectional'size and shape as those of the beam 20,- with an inner flange 21, an outer flange 28 spaced therefrom;

and an intermediate web 29, defining a channel 30. The circle 26 is curved in the plane of its web 29 to form a shank end 3|, a recessed end 32 and a trough receiving bed 33 therebetween. The curvature of the circle is such as to conform generally to that of a trough 34 having a straightedge 35 and a beaded edge 36. i

The shank 3| of the circle 26 is preferably uncurved, but comprises instead a straight inner flange portion 31 adjacent the uncurved web portion 38. The outer flange opposite the straight inner flange portion 31 is swaged outwardly until it is flush with the channel face 39 of the web 38, operatively to broaden the width of the shank to an additional width equal to the width of the flange 21. v H

A channel 40 is swaged downwardly through the outer flange 28 with the forward wall 4| thereof substantially coplanar with the rearward face 42 of the straight inner flange portion 3'1, the bed thereof coplanar with the channel face 39 of the web 23, and the rearward wall 43 thereof spaced from the forward wall 4| a distanceequal to the thickness of the base of the flange 2 of the beam or shank 26. t

The forward half of the web 38 projects upwardly above the upperedge of the straight innor-flange portion 31 of the circle, and is curved forwardly and then downwardly to form a hook 44 having an abutting edge or limiting stop 45 adapted to bear against the straight edge 35 of the trough ;34. The rearward portion 46 of the base of the hook;44-is swaged to form a bead or node4'| projecting in thesame direction as the flange 31, and spaced therefrom a distance equal tothe thickness of the base of the flange 2|of the beam or shank 20.

Equally spaced height adjustment orifices 48 are centrally disposed in the web 23 of the beam or shank 23 and extend a substantial distance therealong. Similar orifices 49 are disposed in the web 38 of the circle 26 along an ,axis spacedfrom the inner wall 42 of theflange 31 a distance equal to the distance between the outer wall 50 and the axis of the orifice 48 of the beam 20, and are spaced from each other in a manner to permit a vernier adjustment between the height of the circle 26 and that ofthe beam 20 when the tworare assembled. Thus, when four orifices 49 are used on the circle 26 and spaced with respect to the orifices 48 of the beam 20 in the ratio of five to four, and the beam orifices 48 are spaced one-half inch apart, vernier adjustment may be made of one-eighth inch intervals. r p- The recessed end 32 of the circle 26 terminates a short distance belowthe head 36,- andpome, prises a recess -5| cut rearwardly and upwardly;

of one directed toward the flanges 2| and 22 of the other. The rearward face 42 of the straight flange 31 of the circl 20 is brought to bear against the forward face 50 of the beam flange 2i, and the extended portion of the web 38 is brought to bear against the rearward beam flange 22. In this position, the forward beam flange 2| extends through the channel 40 and is snugly embraced by the walls 4| and 43 thereof. Spaced a substantial distance from the channel portion 40, the flange 22 is again embraced by the bead or node 4'1 of the circle web 38, in one direction, and by the extended flange 31 in the opposed direction. The circle is slid along the beam until the proper oriflces are in registry for defining the desired height of the circle, and a bolt 65 is passed therethrough and secured in place by any suitable nut 63. The bolt and nut serve to maintain the desired height of the circle and to retain the circle and beam' in interlocked condition. The cantilever stresses and strains however are sustained primarily not by the bolt, but by the interlocked flanges, which prevent downward rotation of the circle, and thus the tendency of the bolt to shear is minimized.

The trough 34 is thereafter mounted in the circle 26 with the straightedge 35 abutting the lower edge 45 of the hook 44, and with the bead 36, in general registry with the recessed end 32 of the circle. The clip-53 is then inserted into the hook 44, and engaged with the bead 3B operably to interlock the two, thereby completing the assembly of the trough and the circle.

The circle and beam may be made of any desired material such as iron, copper, mild channel steel, etc.

I am aware that the invention may be embodied in other specific for-ms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and I therefore desire the present embodiments to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being had to the appended claimsrather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

Having thus described my-invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters 'Patent is: i

1. A trough securing means comprising a hank having a flange, and a circle comprising spaced substantially parallel flanges and a webgdisposed' therebetween and defining a channehsaid circle being adapted to support a trough, a flange of said circle being interlocked with said flange of said shank operably to prevent downward-rotation of said circle about, saidshank as a pivot, and means to retain said circle and said shank in interlocked condition; a 4

2. A troughsecuring means comprising a' shank having a flange, and a circle comprising spaced flanges and a web disposed therebetween and defining a channel, said circle being adapted; to support a trough, an abutment formed on said circle and adapted to interlock with' said shank flange, and one of said circle flanges being adapted to bear against said shank flange in a manner to interlock withthe same, and means to retain said circle and saidshank in interlocked condition. r

3. A trough securing means comprising a shank having a flange, and a circle comprising spaced flanges and a web disposed therebetween and defining a channel, said circle being-adapted to support a trough, one of said'circle flanges being adapted tobear against a shank flange, andanother of said circle flanges being channeled'to permit disposition therethrough of a shank flange and to interlock therewith, .and means to retain said circle and said shank in interlocked condition.

4. A trough securing means including a shank comprising. spaced substantially parallel flanges and a web disposed therebetween and defining a channel; and a circle comprising spaced substantially parallel flanges and a web disposed therebetween and defining a channel, said circle being adapted to support a trough; said circle beingjuxtaposed to said shank, with their respective channels facing each other, and a flange of one interlocked with a flange of the other; and means to retain said circle and said shank in interlocked condition.

5. A trough securing means including a shank comprising spaced substantially parallel flanges and a web disposed therebetween and defining a channel; and a circle comprising spaced substantially parallel flanges and a web disposed therebetween and defining a channel, said circle being adapted to support a trough; said circle being juxtaposed to said shank, with their respective channels facing each other, and a, flange of one interlocked with the flange of the other, operably to prevent downward rotation of said circle about said shank as a pivot; and means to retain said circle and said shank in interlocked condition.

6. A trough securing means including a shank comprising spaced substantiallyparallel flanges and a web disposed therebetween and defining a channel; and a circle comprising spaced substan-,

tially parallel flanges and a web disposed therebetween and defining a channel, said circle being adapted to support a trough; a channel formed through one of said flanges in said circle and having a side wall adapted to interlock with one oi said flanges on said shank; said circle being juxtaposed to said shank, with their respective first-mentioned channels facing each other, and a flange of said shank being juxtaposed to said side wall of said channeled circle flange, operably to interlock therewith; and means to retain said circle and said shank in interlocked condition.

7. A trough securing means including a shank comprising spaced substantially parallel flanges and a web disposed therebetween and defining a channel; and a circle comprising spaced substantially parallel flanges and a web disposed therebetween and defining a channel, said circle being adapted to support a trough; an abutment formed on said circle and adapted to interlock with one of said shank flanges, operably to prevent downward rotation of said circle about said shank as a pivot; means on said circle operable to bear against the other of said shank flanges, operable to prevent lateral rotation of said circle about said shank; said circle being juxtaposed to said shank with their respective channel facing each other, and said abutment in interlocking engagement with one of said shank flanges; means to retain said circle and said shank in interlocked condition.

8. A trough securing means including a shank comprising spaced substantially parallel flanges and a web disposed therebetween and defining a channel; and a circle comprising spaced substantially; parallel flanges and a web disposed therebetween and defining a channel, said circle being adapted to support a trouglnan abutment formed on said circle and adapted to interlock with one of said shank flanges; said circle being juxtaposed to said shank with their respective channel facing each othenand a flangeof one interlocked with the flange of. the other, and said abutment interlocked with one of said shank flanges, operably to prevent-downward rotation of saidcircle about said shank as a pivot; and means to retain saidv circle and said shank in interlocked condition. 7

9. A trough securingmeans includinga shank comprising spaced substantially parallel flanges and a web disposed therebetween and defining a channel; and acircle comprising spaced substantiaily parallel flanges and a web disposed therebetween and defining a channel, said circle being adapted to support a trough; an abutment formed :on said circleand adapted to interlock with one of said shank flanges, and one of said circle flanges being adapted to bear against one of said shank flanges in a manner to interlock with the same; said circle being juxtaposed to said shank with their, respective channels facing each other, and said abutment and circle flange being in interlocking engagement with at least one of said shank flanges, and means to retain said circle and said shank in interlocked condition.

10. A trough securing means including a shank comprising spaced substantially parallel flanges and a web disposed therebetween and defining a channel; and a circle comprising spaced substantially parallel flanges and a web disposed therebetween and defining a channel, said circle being adapted to support a trough; one of said circle flanges being adapted to bear against a shank flange, and another of said circle flanges being channeled; said circle being juxtaposed to said shank, with their respective first mentioned channels facing each other, a flange of one interlocked with a flange of the other, and one of said shank flanges being disposed through said channelled circle flange in interlocking engagement therewith; and means to retain said circle and said shank in interlocked condition.

11. A trough securing means comprising a circle adapted to be interlocked with a shank having a fiangf said circle comprising spaced flanges and a'web disposed therebetween and defining a channel; one of said circle flanges being channelled to permit disposition therethrough of said shank flange operably to interlock therewith; an abutment formed on said circle and spaced from one of said circle flanges operably to form a channel therebetween, said last-mentioned channel being adapted to embrace said shank flange operably to interlock therewith.

12. A trough securing means comprising a circle adapted to be mounted on a shank having a flange; said circle comprising spaced, substantially parallel flanges and a web disposed therebetween and defining a channel; a channel formed through one of said circle flanges and adapted to have said shank flange disposed therethrough in interlocking engagement therewith; an abutment formed on said web in spaced relation to the other of said circle flanges and defining a channel therebetween, said last-mentioned channel being adapted to have disposed therethrough said shank flange in interlocking engagement therewith.

13. A trough, securing means comprising ,a circle adapted to be mounted on a shank having a flange; said circle comprising spaced, substantially parallel flanges and a web disposedtherebetween and defining a channel; a channel formed through one of said circle flanges and'adapted to have said shank flange disposed therethrough in interlocking engagement therewith; an abutment formed on said web in spaced relation to the other of said circle flanges and defining a channel therebetween, said last-mentioned channel being adapted to have disposed therethrough said shank flange in interlocking engagement therewith; and means on said circle adapted to bear against a portion of said shank operably to prevent latera rotation of saidcircle about said shank.

14. A trough securing means comprising a circle adapted to be mounted on a shank having a flange; said circle comprising spaced flanges and a web disposed therebetween and defining a channel, said circle being'adapted to support a trough, and a channel formed through one-of said flanges in said circle and having a side wall adapted to interlock with said flange on said shank.

15. A trough securing means comprising a circle adapted to be mounted on a shank having a flange; said circle comprising spaced flanges and a web disposed therebetween and defining a channel, said circle being adapted to support a trough, one of said circle flanges being adapted to bear against said shank flange, and another of said circle flanges being channelled to permit disposition therethrough of said shank flange operably to interlock therewith. v

16. A trough securing means comprising a circle adapted to bemounted on a shank having spaced substantially parallel flanges and a web disposed therebetween and defining a channel; said circle comprising spaced substantially parallel flanges and a web disposed therebetween and defining a channel, said circle being adapted to support a trough; a channel formed through one of ,said flanges in said circle and having a side wall adapted to interlock with one of said flanges on said shank; said circle being adapted to be juxtaposed to said shank, with their respective firstmentioned channels facing each other, and a flange of said shankjuxtaposed to said side wall of said channelled circle flange, operably to interlock therewith. v l

17 A trough securing means comprising a'circle adapted to be mounted on a shank having spaced substantially parallel flanges and a web disposed therebetween and defining a channel; said circle comprising spaced substantially parallel flanges and a web disposed therebetween and defining a channel, said circle being adapted to support a through; an abutment formed on said circle and adapted to interlock with one of said shank flanges, and one of said circle. flanges being adapted to bear against one of said shank flanges in a manner to interlock with the same; said circle being adapted to be juxtaposed to said shank with their respective channels facing each other, and said abutment and. circle flange in interlockin engagement with at least one of said shank flanges. y Y

18. A trough securing means comprising a circle adapted to be mounted on-a shank having spaced substantially parallel flanges anda web disposed therebetween and defining a channel; said circle comprising spaced substantially parallel flanges and a web disposed therebetween and defining a channel, said circle being adapted to support a trough; one of said circle flanges being adapted to bear against a shank flange, and another of said circle flanges being channelled; said circle being adapted to be juxtaposed to said shank, with their respective first-mentioned channels facing each other, a flange of one interlocked with a flange of the other, and one of said shank flanges being disposed through said'channelled circle flange in interlocking engagement therewith.

19. Means for securing a beaded trough to a flanged shank, comprising a circle and a preformed clip, said circle comprising spaced flanges and a web disposed therebetween and having a hooked end, one of said circle flanges being adapted to bear against a shank flange, another of said circle flanges being channeled to permit disposition therethrough of a shank flangeand to interlock therewith.

20. Means for securing a beaded trough to a flanged shank, comprising a circle and a preformed clip, said circle comprising spaced flanges and a web disposed therebetween and having a hooked end, one of said circle flanges being adapted to bear against a shank flange'and said web having a node formed therefrom and adapted to bear against a shank flange operably to interlock'therewith.

CHARLES P. BOYD. 

